I've completed both Shards '08 and Voices '08, adding them to the site. NyghtowllMusic.com has also been registered as an official website and both my Livejournal as well as MySpace link back to it.

In my last post, I mentioned both songs were originally piano pieces written when I was younger and have been redone multiple times. I wrote Voices shortly after leaving home at fifteen and Shards when my High School Sweetheart passed away, so both are emotional pieces for me. Because of that, I've tried keeping the core elements and having both songs be as organic as possible. Elim observed that both songs have a dark feel intertwined with hope, with a subtle trip hop influence. And as I did with Spider's Tapestry, I've included a Sans Drums Version of Shards which you can download or remix. My only requirement is to link back to my site and give me (the original artist) credit.

My next project will be redoing Sojourn and then I'll be back to working on original pieces again. So stay tuned and as always, feedback is appreciated!

I've been reworking Shards and Voices this weekend. Both were songs that I wrote when I was younger. I wrote Voices shortly after leaving home when I was fifteen, and Shards when my High School Sweetheart passed away. Both songs are complex and dynamic, channeling the emotion that I was feeling at the time and transcending the chaos. I've reworked both a number of times, but it never matches the way it sounds when I play it on the piano. So I've been playing with both and reworking them like a piece of clay.

When I told Elim that I was going to redo Shards and a couple of my older pieces, he mentioned taking a more organic approach with it. I've played both on the piano for years, so my current incarnation will have a more acoustic sounding element to it. Shards will open with a simple piano and pad, lead into an electronic section complete with drums and then finish with piano. It's going to sound awesome, my body is tingling and sleep deprived while I'm typing this entry.

I don't know why, but I've been feeling strangely reflective tonight. Not sad or anything, but observing that when experiencing intense emotion - whether it be in the form of tragedy, celebration, or simple reflection... my mind has to process it. I can't just keep it bottled up inside, I have to create something beautiful out of it. When I was a kid, I had this whole world living in my head. I've always had an active imagination, so I would tell stories to myself and channel the experiences that I was having through words, drawings, or sound.

Not much different than from now, but I'm thankful knowing that the journey that I'm on is one filled with kindred souls and blessings.

The Wanderer
I saw the sunset-colored sands,
The Nile like flowing fire between,
Where Rameses stares forth serene,
And Ammon's heavy temple stands.

I saw the rocks where long ago,
Above the sea that cries and breaks,
Swift Perseus with Medusa's snakes
Set free the maiden white like snow.

And many skies have covered me,
And many winds have blown me forth,
And I have loved the green, bright north,
And I have loved the cold, sweet sea.

But what to me are north and south,
And what the lure of many lands,
Since you have leaned to catch my hands
And lay a kiss upon my mouth.

- Sara Teasdale

To bring in the New Year, I've rearranged the site and added Universal Fables. A 2007 Directory has been added to the Songs Directory to make it easier to sort.

Starting this month, I will start spending one night a week playing piano to recap on the recent songs that I've written. I'll continue doing new compositions within Reason, but it's a good release after work and will help continue to polish my skills.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Yule and New Year!

Riding the Wheels

Sacred Spinning Woman,
Spin the Wheels For Me,
For I am on a journey,
Many worlds to see.
I shall ride the wheels of Fire,
Water, Earth, Air.
Sacred Spinning Woman,
Can you show me where?

Sisters of the Wyrd,
Weave a cloak for me.
For I am on a journey,
Between the worlds to be.
I shall ride the wheels ,
Of faith and dreams,
Of wisdom and free mind.
Sisters of the Wyrd,
Can you tell me what I'll find?

Witches of the Winds,
Clear the way for me.
For I am on a journey,
The worlds of Self to see.
I shall ride the wheels of life,
To Spirit and beyond.
Witches of the Winds,
Send helpers, true and fond.

Grandmother Crystal Woman,
Light the night for me.
For I am on a journey,
In shadow worlds to be.
I shall ride the wheels of vision,
Strength and harmony.
Grandmother Crystal Woman,
Hear me, touch me, heal me.

- Amber Wolfe

This weekend, I completed and added Spider's Tapestry to the site. You will notice that there in the Songs Section that there is two versions of the song: Spider's Tapestry (Ambient Spinner Mix) and Spider's Tapestry which is the original version with Drums. Elim says it makes him think of a mixture between Tool and Hans Zimmer.

This is probably the most complex song that I've put together as of yet. I had to use two Mixer Racks in Reason, one for Drums and another for Instruments. Inspiration came from a sample used at the beginning of the piece and made me think of the 3 Fates from Greek Mythology.

With all of the new things that I've learned over the past year, I almost want to go back and remix Zephyr. Take the Nanoloop Drum Sounds that I used and add some additional Loops as well a couple more Instrument Layers. I feel that would add more diversity to the song and give it some depth.

I've also revamped the site with some new graphics I created this weekend, updated the photos of my equipment on the Tools and Instruments page, as well as cleaning up the Songs section a bit. It's organized by year now, so they're easier to sort. My next goal will be to embed a Music Player in the Songs area and create an RSS Feed for the site, so stay tuned! Lots of changes in the works. :)